Wire-twisting tool and related method

ABSTRACT

A wire tool for joining, assembling, and more specifically twisting wire together in a relatively rapid, consistent, and precise manner is described herein. The wire tool for twisting a plurality of corresponding wires together preferably includes a wire-manipulating body having an outside gripping surface and an inside wire-engaging portion. The wire-engaging portion preferably includes a plurality of parallel passages each having a first opening located at a first end and a similarly constructed second opening located at a second end of the passage. The passages are positioned in close proximity to each other with each passage sized to receive a corresponding wire of the plurality of corresponding wires therethrough. After placement of each of the plurality of wires through the passages from openings on the same end of the passages, the wire manipulating body is rotated and the wires are simultaneously drawn from the passages to engage the wires in electrical contact and/or otherwise form a uniformly twisted wire bundle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a tool used by electricians and otherpersons who handle wire configurations, and more particularly to a handtool for joining, assembling, and more specifically twisting or splicingwire together in a relatively rapid, consistent, uniform, and precisemanner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of means are utilized by electricians and other operators inthe electrical field to connect one or more wires of one wire bundle toone or more wires in a second wire bundle to form a splice. One suchmeans that is almost always available to a technician is manualmanipulation using several fingers. In this practice, the several wiresare stripped of any insulation, positioned closely together, and then atwisting action is applied to entwine or connect selected wires into aspliced wire bundle. Although this method provides a visual verificationof whether electrical continuity between individual wires wasaccomplished, for obvious reasons, this manual method has potentiallyharmful consequences for the operator.

While technicians generally seek to accomplish such wiring twists whilelines are inactive and electricity is not being supplied, a dead orelectrical null condition is not always assured and may inadvertentlyresult in a harmful shock to the operator. Furthermore, the exposedwires that must be placed in contact with one another during the twist,to ensure electrical continuity, may be sharp and potentially injuriousto the unprotected fingers of the electrician. Still further, bymanually twisting the wire there is no assurance of twist uniformityamong connected wires; a condition that may be desirable if aninternally threaded wire nut is to be used to secure the wire splice inplace. Finally, the limitations of using bare or gloved fingers mayresult in an ineffective twisting, which is subsequently susceptible todisengagement of the several twisted wire strands. Many of those sameshortcomings or problems exist even if pliers are used to grip and twisttogether the wires.

In an alternative method, electricians and other persons wanting to joinmultiple wire strands from different wire bundles into a unified splicedbundle having electrical continuity typically begins by first strippingthe ends/tips of each wire to be spliced (removal of each wire'sinsulation). With the stripped ends of each wire to be spliced heldclose together, the wire tips are inserted into a wire nut havinginternal threads that engage and grip the bare metal tips. By turningthe wire nut in one direction the individual wires are gradually twistedtogether into a splice of electrically connected wires.

Although the wire nut provides a relatively safe method for joiningwires when compared to simply manually twisting the wires, the wire nutapparatus and method does not permit the wire tips to be viewed insidethe nut to determine whether electrical continuity between individualwires exists. Accordingly, the individual wires may be joinedphysically, as indicated by being twisted together along their lengths,however, all of the bare metal tips may not be electrically connected.The non-electrical continuity between one or more of the wire tips whenusing a wire nut typically occurs when one or more of the individualwire tips moves relative to the other wire tips, such as when attemptingto hold the untwisted wire bundle with one hand while maneuvering thewire nut atop the wire bundle with the other hand. In this regard,determination of successful wire joining of individual wires into atwisted bundle having electrical continuity between all the wires istypically not realized until circuit testing is completed.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a wire-twisting tool and methodthat permits individual wires to be twisted in a relatively rapid,consistent, and precise manner into a tight, uniform wire bundle thatfacilitates, if desired, the forming of an electrical contact betweentwo or more wires, without the previously noted disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of summarizing the invention, certain objects andadvantages have been described herein. It is to be understood that notnecessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordancewith any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example,those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggestedherein.

The invention described herein generally relates to a hand-tool used byelectricians and other persons who typically handle wire configurationsfor commercial or residential applications. More particularly, theinvention described herein relates to a hand-tool for assembling,twisting, or otherwise joining or splicing wires together in arelatively rapid, consistent, uniform, and precise manner.

The hand-held wire tool preferably includes a wire manipulating bodyhaving an outside gripping surface and an inside wire-engaging portion.The wire-engaging portion preferably includes a plurality of cylindricalshaped parallel passages, each having a first opening located at a firstend and a similarly constructed (size and shape) second opening locatedat the second end of the passage. The passages are positioned in “closeproximity” to each other with each passage sized to receive acorresponding wire or conductor tip to be spliced of a plurality ofcorresponding wires or conductors therethrough. After placement of eachof the plurality of wire tips through the passages from openingspositioned on the same end of the passages, the plurality of wire tipsare preferably twisted together upon rotation of the wire manipulatingbody while simultaneously drawing each of the plurality of wire tipsfrom the passages.

The invention described herein further includes a method for twisting,joining, or otherwise splicing a plurality of corresponding wirestogether. The method preferably includes the steps of (1) providing thehand-held wire twisting tool as described herein, (2) inserting each ofa plurality of wire tips to be spliced from a first wire bundle and asecond wire bundle through passages formed in a wire-engaging portion ofa wire-manipulating body from passage openings on the same end of thewire tool, (3) grasping the wire-manipulating body with one hand and thewires to be spliced with the other hand, and (4) rotating or twistingthe wire-manipulating body, while simultaneously drawing the pluralityof wires from the passages.

Typically, prior to inserting each wire into the passage opening, theend or tip of each wire to be spliced is stripped by removing theoutside insulation to expose the metal conductor. Electrical tape, awire nut, or similar type device may be placed over the spliced wires tosecure them in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one example of a wire bundle having an insulating jacketand three wire strands positioned therein and stripped prior to eachwire tip being received into a corresponding passage of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A shows a wire tool for receiving a plurality of wire strand tipsthrough openings in passages positioned in a wire-engaging portion ofthe tool, and for producing a twisted/spliced wire bundle upon rotationof the tool.

FIGS. 2B-2C are side cutaway views of the wire tool showing parallelpassages each having a cylindrical shape and further including circularopenings that are tapered and positioned at opposite ends of the passage(shown in FIG. 2B), and parallel passages each having a conical shapeand further including circular non-tapered openings positioned atopposite ends of the passage (shown in FIG. 2C).

FIG. 3 shows a prior art wire tool.

FIG. 4 shows the individual wires of a first wire bundle and a secondwire bundle to be spliced being received into passages positioned in thewire tool.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and shows the individual wires of a firstwire bundle and a second wire bundle to be spliced received intopassages positioned in the wire tool.

FIG. 6 shows one method of producing a twisted wire bundle in arelatively rapid, consistent, uniform, and precise manner by rotatingthe wire tool (shown by arrow “A”) in one direction while simultaneouslydrawing each of the plurality of wire tips from the wire tool passages(shown by arrow “B”).

FIG. 7 shows a spliced wire pair formed by the method shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows the placement of a wire nuts connecting a pair of wiresfrom a first wire bundle and a second wire bundle.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the wire tool described hereinhaving a handle attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreferences to the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in thedescription presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in anylimited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized inconjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments of theinvention. Furthermore, various embodiments of the invention (whether ornot specifically described herein) may include novel features, no singleone of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or whichis essential to practicing the invention herein described.

The detailed description herein focuses primarily on a wire twistingtool and related methods of use as they may apply to one or moreembodiments of a device for joining, connecting, or otherwise slicing aplurality of wires or conductors into a uniformed twisted bundle.Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that otherapplications of the invention are equally applicable. Such applicationsmay include, but are not limited to, rope where similar use andtechniques of the apparatus, as described herein, may be applicable.

One example of a wire bundle 30 used by electricians and other personswho handle wire configurations is shown in FIG. 1. The wire bundle 30shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of individual insulated wires 31-33for making electrical connections positioned within an outer insulatingjacket 35. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that theinvention described herein is not limited to a three-strand wire bundle.Wire bundles having more or fewer individual wire strands may also beused in accordance with the present invention.

As indicated above, in one prior art method electricians and otherpersons wanting to join multiple wire-strands having electricalcontinuity into a unified bundle typically begin by first stripping theends/tips of each wire to be spliced from a first wire bundle and asecond wire bundle (removal of each wire's insulation). With thestripped ends of each wire held close together, the wire tips areinserted into a corresponding wire nut having internal threads thatengage and grip the bare metal tips. By turning the wire nut in onedirection the wires are gradually twisted together to electricallyconnect the wires.

FIG. 2A shows a wire tool in accordance with the present invention forreceiving a plurality of wire tips through openings in passagespositioned in a wire-engaging portion of the tool, and for producing atwisted/spliced wire bundle upon rotation of the tool. The wire-twistingtool 5 of the present invention preferably includes a wire-manipulatingbody 10 having an outside gripping surface 15 and an insidewire-engaging portion 20. The wire-twisting tool 5 is preferablyappropriately sized to fit generally in the palm of a person's hand.Accordingly, in one embodiment, the wire-twisting tool 5 may beconsidered a hand-held device.

Preferably, the wire-manipulating body 10 is a substantially flat orplanar shaped disc. In this regard, the circular shape of the outsidegripping surface 15 is a preferred shape as it generally permits thewire tool to be effectively and uniformly rotated or manuallymanipulated in the hand. Persons of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand the wire-manipulating body 10 of the wire tool may have asquare, triangular, or some other design shape.

A knurled section 25 may be included on some portion or along the entireoutside gripping surface 15. The outside gripping surface 15 may includeother features such as a grooved outer circumference having a rubberring insert positioned therein (not shown) or one or more finger groovesor loops (not shown) to assist in gripping, holding, or otherwisemanipulating the wire-twisting tool 5.

As shown in FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the outside gripping surface 15of the wire-manipulating body 10 may be removably received along itscircumference into a correspondingly shaped grooved body 100. In otherwords, wire tools as described herein having different wire-engagingportion 20 configurations may be removably received into thecorrespondingly shaped grooved body 100. The grooved body 100 includes agenerally arched shaped handle 105 attached at one end 110 to a firstouter edge of the grooved body 100. The handle 105 preferably extendsover the wire-engaging portion 20 and is attached at the other end 115to the grooved body 100 along a second outer edge that is opposite thefirst outer edge.

Preferably, the outside gripping surface 15 is sized to be hand held andconfigured to transmit a rotational force along an axis parallel to thewires received into passages 26-29 positioned in the wire-engagingportion 20; the force being applied from the hand of a user (asindicated by reference “A” of FIG. 6) to the wire-manipulating body 10.

Depending on various factors including, among others, material andmanufacturing costs, as well as, consumer expectation, the wire-tool 5may be constructed of any suitable material or materials, includingbeing made entirely of metal, plastic, wood, a composite, or anycombination thereof. Depending on the materials, the risk of electricalshock to the user can be reduced (such as be providing the tool partlyor totally from plastic or other insulating material.

The tool 5 may be manufactured by any suitable techniques, includingforging, blow-molding, and metal stamping, to name a few. In onerudimentary embodiment of the wire-twisting tool 5, manufacture of thedevice may include the use of a whole saw to produce thewire-manipulating body 10 having an outside gripping surface 15 with acircular shape. Appropriately sized drill bits may then be used to drillpassages in the wire-engaging portion 20 to receive the plurality ofcorresponding wire tips.

As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the wire-engaging portion 20 preferablyincludes a plurality of parallel passages 26-29 each having a firstopening 26A-29A located at a first end 26B-29B, and a similarlyconstructed second opening 26C-29C located at a second end 26D-29D ofthe passage 26-29. Preferably, the first openings 26A-29A and secondopenings 26C-29C are circular in shape, corresponding to the generalshape of the wire tips to be received into each passage 26-29. Thepassages 26-29 are preferably cylindrical in shape and positionedparallel and in “close proximity” to each other with each passage 26-29being sized to receive a corresponding wire tip to be spliced of theplurality of corresponding wires therethrough (although persons ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the passages can beprovided in a wide variety of suitable shapes and relative positions,depending on the particular application for which the invention is beingused). Positioning of the parallel passages in close proximity permitsthe wire tips or ends to protrude from the wire tool 5 in a closer ormore parallel relationship when compared to wires twisted with passagesspaced further apart and/or sloped toward a central axis.

In this regard, the term “close proximity” refers to a measure ofdistance between passages that is generally considered to be equal to orless than the distance or space occupied or needed to accommodate asimilar sized passage(s) utilized with the wire-twisting tool. In otherwords, “close proximity” placement of the passages would not permit theaddition of another passage between existing passages without overlapinto an existing passage or the compromise of the structural integritybetween passages.

The “close proximity” positioning of passages 26-29 in the presentinvention is in contrast to wire tools such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 1,181,297, issued to Fenlason, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,551, issuedto Trueblood, and U.S. Pat. No. 353,535 issued to Bunch have passages ornotches for accepting wires separated by a central handle, as in thecase of the Fenlason and Trueblood patents, or by the body of thetwister (reference “A” in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), as in the case of theBunch patent.

In this regard, those prior art devices typically cause wires toprotrude from the passages at a greater distance from each other whencompared to wires of the present invention that protrude from passagesplaced in “close proximity” to each other. For example, FIG. 3,corresponding to FIG. 1 of the Fenlason patent, shows a wire twistingtool with wires 70A and 70B protruding from passages 55A and 55B at agreater distance from each other than wires 77 of a first wire bundle 40and a second wire bundle 50 that protrude from passages 26 and 27 of thepresent invention positioned in “close proximity” to each other, asshown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 3, although such separation betweenthe wire passages 55A, 55B allows twisting along portions of the wire'slength, it prohibits twisting of the wires at the wire tips 71A, 71B bythe wire tool.

In this regard, if a wire nut 55-57, electrical tape, or other device isused to connect the wires 70A, 70B after they are removed from theFenlason tool, the wire tips 71A, 71B must be brought together andtwisted over a relatively greater distances than would be needed withwires 75-77 positioned in “close proximity”. Repositioning of individualwires in this manner will typically increase the likelihood ofintroducing bends in one or more of the wires to be joined. Generally,when bringing together wire ends, as distance between wire endsincreases so does the likelihood of introducing unwanted bends, kinks,etc., that may compromise the structural or electrical integrity of thewire bundle.

When the distance between the passages 55A, 55B is increased and/or, asshown in FIG. 3, the passages 55A, 55B are sloped toward a central axis“CA” in an attempt to improve wire twisting near the bottom 60 of thewire-twisting tool, the problem of introducing unwanted bends in one ormore wires 70A, 70B is generally exacerbated and placement of a wire nutor other connecting device is likewise made more difficult.

In contrast to Fenlason and those other references mentioned above, the“close proximity” positioning of the passages 26-29 in the wire-twistingtool 5 described herein permits twisting of a plurality of wires 75-77at the wire tips 36-38 of each wire 75-77 by the wire-twisting tool 5 aseach wire is removed from the wire engaging portion 20, as shown byreference 85 of FIG. 7. In other words, as described here, in one methodof use the wire-twisting tool 5 preferably splices wires at the wiretips, i.e., no need to bring the wire tips together to complete thesplice after the wire-twisting tool 5 is removed. As explained below andshown in FIG. 6, preferably, twisting of the wires along a portion oftheir length distal from the tip does not occur due to the wires beingheld during rotation “A” of the wire-twisting body 10 about an axisparallel to the wires during the splicing process.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3B, thecylindrical shape and parallel configuration of the wire-twisting toolpassages 26-29 permits placement of each of the plurality of wire tips35-37 through passage openings 26A-29A, 26C-29C from either side26B-29B, 26D-29D of the passages 26-29, i.e., bi-directional insertionof each wire tip 35-37 is possible. In practice however, each of theplurality of wire tips 35-37 to be twisted are inserted into the sameend or side of the passages (same side of the wire-tool), and theplurality of wire tips 35-37 are twisted together upon rotation of thewire-manipulating body 10. The openings 26A-29A, 26C-29C may be tapered80 on each end 26B-29B, 26D-29D of the passages 26-29 to ease insertionor to assist in guiding each wire 75-77 into its corresponding passage.

In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 3C, thepassages 26-29 may be conical in shape. Although the many benefits ofthe wire-twisting tool 5 as described herein may still be realized, sucha conical shaped-passage would generally reduce the versatility of thetool by making it relatively more difficult to receive the wire tips35-37 into a passage 26-29 from either side of the wire-twisting tool 5when compared to a wire-twisting tool 5 having substantially similarlyconstructed (size and shape) openings on each side of a passage 26-29.

Preferably, the passages 26-29 are positioned equal distance from eachother and the rotational axis or general center of the wire-manipulatingbody 10. In other words, the passages 26-29 are preferably evenlydistributed/spaced around the rotational axis of the wire-manipulatingbody 10 so that the applied rotational force is evenly distributed amongthe wires to produce a uniform twisting force on each wire.

Due the preferred equal distance positional relationship betweenpassage(s) and the central axis, twisting or splicing a number of wiresfewer than the number of passages provided on the wire-engaging portion20 of the wire-manipulating body 10 is preferably accomplished bypositioning those wires so as to best maintain the equal distantrelationship between wires to be spliced and the rotational axis of thewire tool 5.

In this regard, the distance between adjacent passages 26-29 of thewire-engaging body 20 does not need to be the same as the distance ofthe passages 26-29 from the rotational axis of the wire-manipulatingbody 10, i.e., center of the wire-manipulating body 10. Generally, inthis regard, the distance between passages 26-29 will decrease as thenumber of passages 26-29 increases. Conversely, the distance betweenpassages 26-29 will increase as the number of passages 26-29 decreases.

Preferably, each passage 26-29 of the wire-engaging portion 20 of thewire-manipulating body 10 described herein is sized to receivetherethrough a single corresponding wire tip 35-37 of the plurality ofcorresponding wire tips 35-37. In this regard, if the wire-twisting tool5 is intended to twist a plurality of 18-gauge wires then each of thepassages 26-29 would be sized slightly larger than 18-gauge or 0.040inches. Similarly, if the wire-twisting tool 5 were designed to accept aplurality of 12-gauge wires then each passage 26-29 would be sizedslightly larger than 0.081 inches.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, depending onthe size and number and “bendability” of the wires in a givenapplication, the body 10 can be provided with passages in any suitablecombination of sizes, shapes and/or configuration(s)/location(s).Likewise, they will understand that a given body 10 with a particularpattern and size of passages therein may be useful for a variety of wiresizes, numbers of wires, etc.

Alternatively, the wire-twisting tool 5, as described herein, mayinclude passages 26-29 sized to receive different sized wires.Accordingly, for example, the wire-engaging portion 20 of thewire-manipulating body 10 may have one or more passages 26-29 forreceiving 10-gauge wire and one or more passages 26-29 for receiving18-gauge wire or 14-gauge wire. Ideally, the number of passages 26-29 isequal to or greater than the number of corresponding wire tips 35-37 tobe twisted. If the number of wires 75-77 to be twisted is fewer than thenumber of passages 26-29, preferably, the wires 75-77 are evenly spacedin the available appropriately sized passages 26-29 to produce a uniformtwisted or spliced wire-bundle, see FIG. 7.

In one embodiment, the length of each passage 26-29 is from about 0.0625inches to about 0.125 inches. In another embodiment, the length of eachpassage 26-29 is about 0.125 inches. Persons of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the length of one or more of the passages mayvary depending on, among other things, the wire tool's intendedapplication, and construction of the wires used with the wire-twistingtool.

The present invention further includes a method for twisting a pluralityof corresponding wires together. The method preferably includes thesteps of (1) providing the hand-held wire twisting tool as describedherein and shown in one embodiment in FIG. 2A (2) inserting each of aplurality of stripped wire tips from a first wire bundle and a secondwire bundle through passages formed in a wire-engaging portion of awire-manipulating body from passage openings on the same end of the wiretool, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, (3) grasping the wire-manipulatingbody with one hand and the wires to be spliced (those received into thepassages) near the wire-manipulating body with other hand, and (4)rotating or twisting the wire-manipulating body along an axis parallelto the wires, while simultaneously drawing the plurality of wires fromthe passages, as shown in FIG. 6. In this regard, as the wire orconductor tips are joined or spliced together, the wire tool will slideor will be drawn (pulled) off the end of each wire leaving a uniformlytwisted or spliced wire bundle, as shown in FIG. 7.

Typically, the method preferably includes the step of removing each ofthe plurality of wires from the passages of the wire-engaging portion ofthe wire tool, and securing the wires together with a wire nut orsimilar device.

In an alternative method of use, in contrast to the wire device ofFenlason and other such tools, the wire-twisting tool 5 of the presentinvention (having passages 26-29 positioned in “close proximity” to eachother) permits, if desired, increased wire twisting along a greaterportion of the wire bundle, while reducing the likelihood of bends orkinks being introduced into one or more wires when splicing wirestogether. In this regard, the user would not grasp the wires to bespliced (those received into the passages) near the wire-manipulatingbody as indicated in step 3 above. In other words, those wires may begrasped at any convenient location along the wire's length. This wouldpermit twisting along a portion of each wire to be joined that would nototherwise be permitted by the grasping or holding of such wires.

Accordingly, the steps of an alternative method for use of the presentinvention include the steps of (1) providing the hand-held wire twistingtool as described herein and shown in one embodiment in FIG. 2A, (2)inserting each of a plurality of stripped or insulated wire tips from afirst wire bundle and a second wire bundle through passages formed in awire-engaging portion of a wire-manipulating body from passage openingson the same end of the wire tool, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, (3)grasping the wire-manipulating body with one hand, and (4)rotating/twisting the wire-manipulating body along an axis parallel tothe wires, while simultaneously drawing the plurality of wires from thepassages, as shown in FIG. 6. In this regard, the wire or conductor tipsas well as a portion of the wire body is twisted/spliced together as thewire tool is slid or drawn (pulled) off the end of each wire forming auniformly twisted or spliced wire bundle

The apparatus and methods of the invention have been described with someparticularity, but the specific designs, constructions and stepsdisclosed are not to be taken as delimiting of the invention. Obviousmodifications will make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art, all of which will not depart from the essence of theinvention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to beencompassed within the appended claims.

1. A hand-held tool for splicing a plurality of corresponding wire tipsof a plurality of corresponding wires together, comprising: a generallyplanar wire-manipulating body having an outside gripping surface sizedto be hand-held and configured to transmit rotational force applied fromthe hand to the manipulating body, and an inside wire-engaging portion;wherein the wire-engaging portion includes a plurality of parallelpassages each having a first opening located at a first end and a secondopening located at a second end of the passage, the passages positionedin close proximity to each other with each passage sized to receive acorresponding wire tip to be spliced of a plurality of correspondingwires; and wherein after placement of each of the plurality of wire tipsto be spliced through the passages from the openings on the same end ofthe passages, the plurality of wire tips are spliced together by therotational force applied to the wire manipulating body about an axisparallel to the wire tips while simultaneous drawing the wire tips fromthe passages.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein each of the passages aresized to receive a single corresponding wire of the plurality ofcorresponding wires.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of passages is cylindrical in shape.
 4. The tool of claim 3,wherein the first opening and the second opening of each of theplurality of passages is circular in shape.
 5. The tool of claim 4,wherein the first opening and second opening of each to the plurality ofpassages is tapered.
 6. The tool of claim 1, wherein each of thepassages are conical in shape.
 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein thenumber of passages is equal to or greater than the number ofcorresponding wires.
 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the length of eachpassage is from about 0.0625 inches to about 0.125 inches.
 9. The toolof claim 1, wherein the length of each passage is about 0.125 inches.10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the wire-manipulating body is asubstantially flat disc.
 11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the outsidegripping surface is knurled.
 12. The tool of claim 1, wherein theoutside gripping surface is grooved and includes a rubber insert.
 13. Asystem for twisting a plurality of corresponding wires together,comprising: a plurality of corresponding wire tips to be spliced of aplurality of corresponding wires; and a hand-held tool for splicing thecorresponding wire tips, the hand-tool comprising: a generally planarwire-manipulating body having an outside gripping surface sized to behand-held and configured to transmit rotational force applied from thehand to the manipulating body, and an inside wire-engaging portion;wherein the wire-engaging portion includes a plurality of generallyparallel passages each having a first opening located at a first end anda second opening located at a second end of the passage, the passagespositioned in generally close proximity to each other with each passagesized to receive a corresponding wire of the plurality of correspondingwires; and wherein after placement of each of the plurality of wiresthrough the passages from the openings on the same end of the passages,the plurality of wires are spliced together by rotating the wiremanipulating body.
 14. A method for twisting a plurality ofcorresponding wires together, comprising the steps of: providing ahand-held tool for splicing a plurality of corresponding wire tips of aplurality of corresponding wires together, comprising: a generallyplanar wire-manipulating body having an outside gripping surface and aninside wire-engaging portion; and wherein the wire-engaging portionincludes a plurality of parallel passages each having a first openinglocated at a first end and a second opening located at a second end ofthe passage, the passages positioned in close proximity to each otherwith each passage sized to receive a corresponding wire tip to bespliced of a plurality of corresponding wires; inserting each of theplurality of corresponding wire tips to be spliced of the correspondingwires through the passages from the openings on the same end of thepassages; grasping the wire manipulating body with one hand and thewires of the wire tips to be spliced near the wire-manipulating bodywith the other hand; and rotating the wire-manipulating body about anaxis parallel to the wires while simultaneously drawing thecorresponding wire tips to be spliced from the passages.
 15. A tool fortwisting together at least two wires, comprising: a generally planarbody having a gripping portion generally at the perimeter thereof and awire-engaging means spaced generally inwardly from the perimeter; saidgripping portion configured to be gripped by a user's hand; saidgripping portion and said wire-engaging portion configured andpositioned relative to each other so that actuation of said bodygenerally about an axis parallel to the wires results in twisting of thewires into engagement with each other.
 16. Apparatus for electricallyjoining wires, including: a body portion capable of engaging at leasttwo wires and manipulating them into a twisted relationship with eachother; the body portion including an engagement section for engaging thewires; the body portion further including a rotation force applicationarea, the rotation force application area positioned generallycoplanarly with and radially outward from the engagement section. 17.Apparatus for conducting electricity, comprising; a first wire; a secondwire; a twisting element, the twisting element having one or morereceiving areas for engaging the first and second wires; a contactportion spaced generally outwardly from the receiving areas and in asubstantially coplanar relationship with the receiving areas, thecontact area configured to receive the application of rotational forceabout an axis generally parallel to the wires, said apparatus configuredso that application of that force results in twisting engagement of thewires with each other.